Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2018 3:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.

Alberta Parks mike.koppang, Alberta Parks

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Kananaskis.

The recent snow is hiding the windslabs that formed earlier in the week.  We are not into spring stability right now!  Best skiing will be on sheltered N aspects.

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud.Precipitation: Nil.Alpine temperature: High -11 °C.Ridge wind west: 30-50 km/h.Freezing level at valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past 36hrs there have been a few sz 2 slides out of N and E aspects in alpine areas.  There are mainly failing down 20-30cm and 30-50m wide. 

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm new snow fell across the region overnight with very little wind affect.  This new snow now blankets the previous windslabs that formed earlier in the week.  These windslabs are easy to find in alpine terrain and are 20-40cm thick.  What natural avalanche activity we did see on Friday showed these windslabs failing mainly on N and E aspects in steeper terrain or in unsupported features.  Field test were showing an easy to moderate sheer at the interface of the windslabs with the underlying snow.  Be heads up in steeper areas  and choose supported terrain. Light snow was starting as we left.  The best skiing will be on N aspects due to crusts on solar aspects.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Windslabs in alpine areas along ridgelines and crossloaded features. Watch for these at the entrances to runs.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices
Overhead cornices loom along ridgelines. As daytime temps warm up, these will become weak and have potential to collapse.
Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2018 2:00PM

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